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England cricket is as much a soundtrack as it is a sport. From the stately opening notes of Jerusalem to the raucous, brass-backed chants of the Barmy Army, the songs sung and played at matches help define moments, lift crowds, and create memories that last far beyond the final wicket.
This article collects the official and traditional hymns, fan-created anthems, pop-culture favourites, and instrumental signatures that make up the musical fabric of English cricket.
Official & Traditional Songs
Jerusalem
Often described as the hymn that gives an English Test match its gravity, “Jerusalem” is associated closely with cricket in England. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has used the tune at major fixtures and it’s frequently sung at the start of a day’s play. Its slow, choir-like quality adds a ceremonial tone that links modern cricket to England’s cultural traditions.
God Save the Queen
As the national anthem, “God Save the Queen” (or “King”, depending on the monarch) has a natural place at international fixtures and important ceremonies. It’s performed on occasions where official protocol calls for it and is part of the wider pageantry surrounding big matches.
Land of Hope and Glory
A staple of patriotic gatherings, “Land of Hope and Glory” is another traditional tune often heard at high-profile matches. Like Jerusalem, it leans on national pride and creates a sense of occasion.
Fan-Created Anthems & Chants
Come On England!
One of the best-known unofficial anthems linked to English cricket support is the singalong often called “Come On England!” — a rollicking, simple chorus designed to be picked up by crowds and repeated across stands. It captures the informal, party-like spirit of modern limited-overs support.
The Barmy Army’s Creativity
The Barmy Army — England’s travelling band of supporters — has been the single biggest source of fan-created cricket chants. Known for loud singing, boisterous humour, and a willingness to follow the team around the world, they’ve produced numerous anthems. Their repertoire includes bespoke chants aimed at opposing players, match situations, and, of course, songs celebrating England’s stars.
A distinctive feature of Barmy Army performances is the live brass and trumpet sections that often accompany the singing. These instruments give many chants a marching, celebratory energy that’s instantly recognisable.
Popular Barmy Army Chants:
1. “Barmy Army! Barmy Army!”
The classic. Simple repetition, usually accompanied by a trumpet:
“Bar-my Ar-my!
Bar-my Ar-my!”
2. “Everywhere We Go…”
A marching-style chant sung loudly during tours:
“Everywhere we go-oh,
People want to know-oh,
Who we are…
And where we come from…
We are the England!
The mighty, mighty England!”
3. “Hey Jimmy, Jimmy!” (James Anderson Chant)
For England’s legendary pacer:
“Hey Jimmy, Jimmy!
Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson!”
4. “You’re Going Home in the Morning!”
Usually aimed at opposition fans or after a big England moment:
“You’re going home in the morning!
You’re going home in the morning!”
5. “He Bowls to the Left…” (Stuart Broad Chant)
A fun chant used during Ashes series:
“He bowls to the left,
He bowls to the right,
That Mitchell Johnson,
His bowling is shite!”
(Note: Originally an Ashes rivalry chant, often adapted for other bowlers.)
6. “Stand Up If You Love England!”
Crowds rise in waves:
“Stand up if you love England!
Stand up if you love England!”
7. “Ali, Ali, Moeen Ali!”
Set to the tune of “Live is Life”:
“Ali, Ali, Moeen Ali!”
8. “Root! Root! Root!”
A simple crowd roar for Joe Root:
“Roooooooot!”
9. Ashes Special – “We Are the Army!”
“We are the Army,
The Barmy Army,
And we are mental,
And we are mad!”
10. Trumpet Call – “The Great Escape”
Not a lyric chant — but the Barmy Army trumpet famously plays the tune from The Great Escape.
Crowds usually clap and join rhythmically.
Aussie Song and Rivalry Chants
Rivalry fuels invention. During Ashes series and matches against Australia, supporters have adapted and created songs specifically aimed at the occasion — sometimes cheeky, sometimes pointed. These chants form a playful (and occasionally savage) soundtrack to the rivalry.
Pop Songs & Instrumentals in the Cricket Stands
Not all cricket songs are made for the crowd. A few pop songs and instrumentals have been adopted by fans and stadium DJs for their contagious hooks.
- Dreadlock Holiday (10cc) — A quintessentially 1970s pop-reggae earworm, this song has often been heard around cricket grounds and remains a nostalgic favourite among fans.
- Sweet Caroline — Although originally a stadium staple for multiple sports, its sing-along chorus has found a home at cricket grounds, especially in shorter formats and during breaks.
- Soul Limbo — An instrumental with a funky, instantly recognisable groove, historically associated with cricket broadcasts and sometimes used to introduce highlight reels or moments in play.
These tracks are part of a pragmatic playlist culture: stadiums and broadcasters use accessible, upbeat songs to keep energy high between overs, during drinks breaks, and at interval periods.
How the Songs Spread and Evolve
Several forces shape which songs get adopted by fans and stadiums:
- Tradition & Ceremony: Songs like Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory spread because they feel ‘‘right’’ for formal moments.
- Fan Groups: The Barmy Army and other organised fans create, test, and refine tunes. When a chant works in an away stand, it often becomes mainstream at home.
- Broadcast & DJ Playlists: Stadium DJs, TV producers, and highlight reels help popularise pop songs and instrumentals.
- Social Media: Clips of a catchy chant can go viral within hours, turning local chants into national phenomena.
Because of this mix, the soundtrack of English cricket is always in flux — a living thing shaped by players, supporters and the music industry itself.
Notable Moments When Music Mattered
Music often becomes part of the story of a match. Whether it’s the hush that falls after Jerusalem before a crucial Test session, a ground-wide chorus during a tense chase, or an instrumental sting accompanying a match-winning highlight, songs amplify the emotion of big moments and become part of the shared memory.
Practical Playlist for a Match Day
If you were to build a short playlist that captures the English cricket mood, include a mix of ceremony, crowd-singers and feel-good pop:
- Jerusalem (choir/arrangement)
- God Save the Queen (official anthem)
- Land of Hope and Glory (orchestral)
- Come On England! (crowd chant)
- Dreadlock Holiday — 10cc
- Sweet Caroline — singalong section
- Soul Limbo — instrumental groove
- A Barmy Army chant with trumpet or brass
Final Thoughts
England cricket songs are a mirror of the game itself — a blend of tradition and invention, solemnity and fun. Official hymns lend stature and continuity; fan anthems bring joy, mischief and identity; pop songs and instrumentals keep the tempo upbeat between play. Together they turn every match into more than a sporting contest — they make it a cultural occasion.
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Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.